On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Josh Cohen discuss: 🏳️‍⚧️ “Protect Our Kids” anti-trans rally & counterprotests 📉 Every Seattle elected = negative approval 🏘️ Seattle's interim missing middle housing 🤦 Essential behavioral health facilities stymied As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. …

Eddie Lin, running for Seattle City Council in District 2, shares his stance on housing affordability, public safety, transportation, and more while emphasizing his government experience and commitment to community-driven solutions. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on Bluesky at @Hac…

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss how Seattle has handled a far-right Christian protest movement, a new report on how unprecedented police hiring could impact the city budget, growing concerns over a proposed c…

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and David Kroman discuss: 🖋️ Ferguson acts on state budget, parental bill of rights 🧊 Troubling ICE raids 🤓 Seattle Mayor race deep dive 🔔 Sara Nelson bellwether 🗳️ Other notable primary races ⛺️ Rushed Tent City 4 move As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. F…

It's a patrons-first episode of your favorite coffee break political podcast! Former Councilmember Kshama Sawant is back in City Hall fighting a proposed ethics code revision that she believes could impact many of her legislative efforts with renter's rights. But the Council believes they're pursuing an overdue and necessary rules change. Plus, Gov…

Jamie Fackler, running for Seattle City Council in District 2, shares his stance on housing affordability, public safety, transportation, and more while emphasizing his opposition to corporate influence in local politics. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks.…

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the local races to watch now that the candidate filing deadline has passed, a new hi-tech tool for Seattle police, a debate over siting electronic kiosks in the city, a hi-tech…

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss a plan to change the Seattle City Council's requirement that members recuse themselves if they have a financial interest, the passage of new automated traffic camera legislatio…

In an extensive interview with Crystal Fincher of Hacks & Wonks, Seattle City Attorney candidate Erika Evans outlines why she is challenging incumbent Ann Davison with a platform centered on community-based solutions, addressing root causes of crime, and protecting civil rights. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at official…

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: 📊 Breakdown of Legislature's state budget 🧐 Ferguson’s first four months 🤔 Mallahan can? What's up with Seattle mayor race 🚔 SPD hiring up but few women + another lawsuit alleging racism As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Fo…

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss a huge boost in hiring for the Seattle Police Department and new concerns about accountability for the SPD. Plus, we're talking about the state legislature's recently-approved …

In a wide-ranging interview on the Hacks & Wonks podcast, Seattle City Attorney candidate Rory O'Sullivan outlines his vision for transformative change in an office he believes has gone in the "wrong direction" under current City Attorney Ann Davison. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us…

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Donna Blankinship discuss: 💔 State Senator Bill Ramos 🗳️ April ballot results 💵 Seattle Democracy Vouchers 📚 Seattle Education Levy expanded 🧑‍⚖️ Spokane homeless initiative struck down 📈 Sharp increase in homelessness As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com…

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the Seattle City Council's concerns over how cuts to federal programs will impact the city's most vulnerable residents, what a relatively car-free Pike Place could look like, t…

In a comprehensive interview with Crystal Fincher of Hacks & Wonks, Seattle City Attorney candidate Nathan Rouse outlines his vision for reforming the office through the lens of his public defender experience, criticizing incumbent Republican Ann Davison's approach while proposing alternative solutions focused on addressing root causes of crime. As…

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Ryan Packer discuss: 😟 Poll: people are plugged in/worried 🫰 No wealth tax = everyone else pays 🛣️ Transpo budget overview 🤷 Workers’ comp upgrade debacle 🪪 KC AFIS levy pros & cons 🚸 Tacoma Streets Initiative II As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Foll…

In response to sweeping policy changes at the federal level, Seattle City Council has established a Select Committee on Federal Administration and Policy Changes to track and respond to threats to federal funding, executive orders, and civil rights rollbacks affecting the city. The committee, chaired by Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck, aims to …

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Lex Vaughn discuss: 🪧 Thousands protest Trump admin 🧑‍🎓 WA student visas revoked 🐀 Union head blasts “Ratfink” Ferguson 🤞 Progress on rent stabilization 👀 Fingerprint levy on April ballot 💥 Seattle City Council tensions As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.co…

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss a new legal challenge brought by the Port of Seattle against the city over the Council's recently-passed SODO housing measure, plans to reduce gun violence at late-night lounge…

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Erica Barnett discuss: 🙅‍♂️ Ferguson against wealth tax ⚖️ WA joins lawsuit on public health funding cuts 👩‍💼 Braddock appointed acting KC Exec 💸 Moore skips public bidding process for $1M 🤷‍♂️ Saka denounces “defund” As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com.…

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the Seattle City Council's efforts to expand the use of speed cameras, a concern over lower projections for Seattle's Jumpstart sales tax, a sobering report on gun violence fro…

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Shauna Sowersby discuss: 🌟 Frank Chopp’s legacy 💰 Senate & House budget proposals 📜 Parents’ Bill of Rights initiative 🧯 Natural gas initiative ruled unconstitutional 🚈 Dow Constantine nominated for Sound Transit CEO As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. …

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss a Seattle City Council plan to improve regulation of late-night lounges as a way to curb gun violence, a new statement about past pledges to "defund" the police, a multi-billio…

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: 🤨 Gov Ferguson’s workplace complaints 😧 More troubling activity around Bruce Harrell 🏘️ SoDo housing proposal passed 👋 SPS superintendent resigns 🙄 Adam Smith is all wrong As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on Blue…

It's been a challenging session in Olympia, especially with the threat of federal budget cuts and state revenues on the decline. Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel checks in with Rep. Chipalo Street, D-37 (Southeast Seattle) for more insights on measures he's championing, including rent stabilization, transit-oriented development, supporting dual cr…

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the wins and losses incurred after a bruising City Council fight over housing in SODO, a senior deputy mayor speaking out about a "toxic" workplace under Mayor Harrell, a plan …

Hacks & Wonks host Crystal Fincher and community leader Monisha Harrell have announced their acquisition of KVRU 105.7 FM, a non-profit, non-commercial community radio station based in South Seattle, with plans to preserve it as a trusted resource in South Seattle through community-driven programming. As always, a full text transcript of the show i…

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the expansion of Seattle's CARE Department and it's non-police 9-1-1 response teams, some new challengers for city elections this fall, a democracy voucher program that's up fo…

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss a new list of potential city programs (and cuts) the Seattle City Council is considering, a new development for Seattle's transportation levy, an unorthodox pre-emptive initiat…

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the pushback from Port of Seattle officials over a SODO housing proposal from Council President Sara Nelson, a plan to re-open a popular Pike Place park that's been derailed by…

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss Mayor Bruce Harrell's State of the City address, a push for transit passenger safety, a wage theft lawsuit brought by three City of Seattle employees, a look at what's next for…

How are immigrants in Seattle and our state dealing with a blitz of executive orders on immigration policy? Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel connects with Roxana Norouzi, Executive Director of OneAmerica, to get details on how challenges to birthright citizenship, the U.S. asylum system, our state's new "Family Separation Rapid Response Team," and…

Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and David Kroman of the Seattle Times discuss the results of the special election on social housing funding and school levies, plus a split decision from the Seattle City Council on crowd control policies for police. We're…

Seattle voters will decide between two competing social housing funding measures in a special election ending Feb. 11. Proposition 1A, backed by labor and community groups, proposes a payroll tax on high earners to generate $53M annually. Proposition 1B, supported by the Chamber of Commerce, redirects $10M from existing funds. We chat with Rian Wat…